Chapter 21

Under The Moonlight

"I feel I'm diving into driving rain

You get my senses running wild
I can't resist your sweet, sweet smile
So take this feeling make it grow
Never let it, never let it go"

Spirit slowly turned, hesitating in his step. The mare looked so beautiful silhouetted in purple lavender, he nearly lost his breath. In her sparkling crystal eyes he kept seeing ribbons of colors that all together excited him and made him nervous. And with surprise, the stallion's mind wandered to the perfectly symmetrical foals she would bear, no doubt possessing her mind-blowing beauty.

The soft spring breeze smelled sweetly of the summer grasses, and of Rain's pungent, lovely scent. Tossing his forelock to the either side, he tried to compose himself and steady his quickened heartbeat. Even though he was anxious and nervousness seemed to rush through him, he decided to pull himself together. He was going to ask her, no matter what. "Rain," he muttered breathily, his heart continued thumping heavily against his chest. "how would you feel about becoming a dam?" Spirit's eyes caught her gaze and then he looked away, sensation of slight timidness surfaced up again. Why did this little mare make him so weak on his knees?

Rain was dumbstruck at his heartfelt question. She knew this was something they had both discussed once, when they were back in her homeland, but in a very light-hearted and teasing manner. It was almost like a mischievous pleasantry...nothing serious. This time however, Spirit appeared to mean it. He seemed so earnest and sincere when he had asked her this important question. Her own heart skipped a beat as she sheepishly averted her gaze from him. To be honest, Rain had never really thought of herself as a dam or a mate...perhaps because her previous life had been so different from this new one. She had always longed to be with her human friend and protect her homeland by becoming a worthy war horse as her sire once was. Things had drastically changed for her since then.

The beautiful paint remained silent as she contemplated on what her stallion just asked her. Spirit's deep brown eyes danced in the sunlight, his ears flicking back and forth as he attempted to read her body language. Being honest was always the trait he valued, and he preferred to get it off his chest and tell her everything he felt and desired. What troubled him however, was how she felt about this whole situation. When they had stood on the lakeside, warming their wet coats in the sun, what did she mean when she spoke about the evening? And what if he scared her off for good with his overbearing advances? Rain was still so young...maybe she was not ready to be a dam yet. Would she answer him honestly? Or would she try to come off nice and not hurt his feelings? Either way, he would not be disappointed.

Silence lasted for about a minute or two and then Rain slowly began to turn away from him, walking at a steady pace back towards the trail they had taken to get to Spirit's secret monument place for his father. Rain had remembered the way quite well with her sharp senses. "Truth be told," she nickered with a calm and gentle tone, pausing for a minute, her eyes glanced back at the stallion, who had been waiting for her answer with a pounding heart. "I never thought of myself as a mother." she continued to whisper loud enough for him to hear.

"But...I guess things do change." she smiled with a mischievous little grin, as she shifted her blue gaze back on the trail.

Spirit couldn't help but smile softly at that as his soaring heart calmed down a bit. He had not scared her away! Instantly he set off after her, matching her stride step-for-step with his own. The path was easy enough to follow, he had no qualms about letting Rain, a mare, lead him onward. In fact, he admired the fact that she had quickly learned to navigate in his wild home.

"Change? How?" Spirit inquired, fluttering his nostrils with curiosity. As if he did not understand what she had meant by it. In truth, he just wanted to hear more of what she had to say on the topic.

Rain felt him walk beside her and smirked to herself. She knew he was desperate to find out her feelings on the matter but she felt like teasing him some more. The pretty paint looked him in the eye and swished her long creamy tail with a gentle motion. She perked her smile at the corners of her mouth, a little grin apparent on her face.

"Patience." She mumbled, not giving much away as she walked back along the track they had come along. Rain easily recognized all the trees, meadows, the Spring daisies that covered the fields, and violet colored forest flowers were in full bloom. It was such a calm day for a wooded stroll and Rain couldn't help but think back to those times when she would show Spirit her world, and they would walk and explore the Lakota territory for hours in each other's absorbing company. She took her time as she slowly walked, stopping in her tracks to admire the wonderfully wild settings around them. Throughout this, Spirit had steadfastly remained by her side and let her be in control. He liked watching Rain as she gazed at the enormous hills in the distance, observed the hopping deers of the forest, the birds sang sweetly above them. Spirit's world seemed larger than life and Rain wanted to see more of it.

At last, they came across the lake's foggy shore that they visited hours before, and presently the sun was setting behind the distant mountains. Below their hooves, the beach rocks crackled as they shifted together, grinding with protest at the ton of equine flesh moving across them. Shadows of lush, forest canopy danced across the rocky cove, and sent silhouettes dancing across the still, glass-like water. Rain exhaled softly as her blue eyes settled on the beauty before her. The memories of the afternoon Autumn swim with Spirit in her homeland, and their first intimate time together, flashed back into her mind. Today however, things would be a little different. Now Spirit would find out what could be so beautiful in the gentle moon kissed lake.

The stallion let out a soft sigh. The lake was indeed hauntingly mesmerizing at night, but no matter how nature dressed the dark waters, it could not outdo what it had done when it had created the paint mare. She was positively heavenly this evening. Her colorful coat shone with dapples that creased her underbelly, an outward sign of her health. Her sapphire eyes glowed brightly just like that beautiful Autumn day which he would never ever forget. All those sweet memories danced before him, making his large heart flutter in his chest.

"Why did you bring me back here?" the stallion whispered, planting his fore-hooves into the soft earth near the waters edge. He couldn't help his curiosity. At the cracking noon, he had splashed around here and they had both swam until Rain had enough. He wondered why she had decided to return back to the water this evening.

Rain too, sighed gently as she felt the moon's rays once again beat upon her fine back. "You'll find out." She responded softly, and raised her head high to glance at the star studded sky. The night had fallen and it was beautiful and clear. One could see every twinkling soul in the heavens. It had been a wonderful day and she was glad she and Spirit had spent it in each other's company without the care in the world. They had swam in the morning, and she had learned more about him and his secret sensitive side. Overall, Rain could not have asked for a better day after all the misfortunes and complicated troubles she had faced. But perhaps, this glorious day needed a grand finale.

Slowly she shifted and began to walk towards the rippling lake's shore, the pebbles knocking each other as she carefully clambered into the water. The cool night's air had made the water slightly colder, but Rain knew what they were about to see was worth it. Once neatly in the water, shoulder high ripples emerging from behind her, and she held her blonde tail so it flowed beautifully behind her. She turned her silver streamed head towards Spirit, who glowed in the night's rays. His golden coat was lighting up the darkness as the sun itself. With a soft smile, she beckoned him by tossing her head gently, her lovely flaxen mane draping down into the water.

Spirit's ears flicked back and forth as the water rippled around the heavenly mare. Taking one step into the cool water, the stallion shivered with expectation. What could she have possibly planned for him? And why was she being so secretive? White, frothy steam billowed from his flaring nostrils as he waded beside her, the ripples from her breathing lapping against his chest.

Spirit cocked his head, the longer pieces of his black mane swirling in the dark water. Rain's slender neck was wrapped gently in water vapor, making him tremble in awe. If he thought before that the mare could not possibly get anymore beautiful, he was dead wrong.

"Rain..." he nickered softly, his eyes half-closing with affection. "What is it, pretty mare?"

The young paint swam deeper into the lake, and then glanced downwards, her head jutting into her lithe neck, damp with cool water seeping into her fur. Her blonde mane now plastered to her shoulders and crest, she shook it with ease, as the droplets flew off and returned to the water. With a gaze towards the water and a smile of awe, she saw what she hadn't seen for so long.

The night sky, reflected in the glassy water. Each twinkling star in the heavens shone down upon her and Spirit, and lit up the lake with a glittering ball of light. It was such a strange sight for the stars to be reflected around them like fire flies, but she soaked up each moment of this magical happening. Only on clear nights when the water was as clear as the sky was would this beautiful event take place.

"Sometimes you find beauty not where you would expect..." She said gently, a tone of knowing laced her voice. She turned her head upwards and took a deep breath of the night's air, deep into her lungs. She was at peace, and loved the fact she felt incredibly free.

Spirit gazed into the frothy depths, his long tail billowing behind him in the still water. His ears flicked forward as he concentrated upon the lake's surface. Through the fog and mist, stars twinkled in the reflection, dappling both their hides with an other-wordly glow. Spirit sighed as the beauty of the night struck him, and lifted his head as the mare beside him spoke.

"Or when you least expect it," he mused, nosing under her sweet-smelling mane with his fuzzy muzzle. He had known this place all his life, (it was part of the Cimarron territory) had swam in this lake since he was a tiny colt, and not once did he realize how beautiful it could have been in the clear night's sky until Rain showed it to him. He nickered deeply in his throat, the water rippling around them as the tones disturbed the glass-like surface. Making his way gently with loving nibbles down her neck, he paused at her withers for a good friendly scratch. More than anything he wanted her to feel at peace, and hoped she felt safe with him beside her.

She sighed gently as she felt his gentle nibbles along her lithe neck, sending tingles all over her body. She felt a new kind of warmness spread around her form, despite the slightly chilled lake. Her withers started a shiver that ran down her frame, rippling the water beneath her.

"That is only the start." Rain whispered softly, almost not even speaking, as she turned her head back towards the lake's glassy black waves. The night had painted the whole lake a deep ebony black, and the only sound that could be heard was the gentle lapping of water from the shoreline. She kicked her slender legs gently, the froth and bubbles flew out from beneath her. This was a wonderful night to be in such a perfect lake, with an even more perfect stallion.

As she swam to the middle of the deep dark lake, she took over a silver glow, it came over her as suddenly as she felt the bright light in her eyes. Then she knew where she was. Turning her attractive head downwards to the lake, a huge circle of silver surrounded her in an other wordly hue. Her pretty colorful pelt now tinged a gentle white.

Spirit's heart beat fast against his chest yet again. The moonlight glittering upon the mare's coat sent shivers up his spine and his breath caught in his throat. Could nature have presented him with anything more beautiful, than the perfect, glittering mare swimming before him? Arching his regal neck the stallion kicked towards her, his eyes sparkling with deep attraction. Spirit kept just his head above the water, smiling brilliantly as her eyes locked on his. His long jet black mane waved in the ripples like a banner as he came within a breath of her velvet muzzle.

"Rain...there has never been a more perfect evening," he gasped with pleasure, blowing a gust of hot steam from his nostrils. "And I have never laid eyes upon such a beautiful mare." He grabbed her forelock, the swish of his powerful kicks mixing with her strokes. He looked at her longingly, his eyes half-closed with emotion. "My flaxen beauty, you have yet to answer me." He slowly headed for shore, looking over his shoulder to see if she'd follow.

Rain bobbed her head with joy, the ripples increasing around her lithe form. Her gaze turned skywards towards the glittering balls of light. It was a magnificent night indeed. Cocking her head gently, her creamy mane dripping over her face, she watched the stallion swim away. Where was he going? She curiously began to glide towards him, a white drape of bubbles following her trail.

Spirit paused as the water barely tickled his stomach, and turned to face her. As he waited for her approach the stallion splashed the water all over his body, coating his fur with a glossy sheen. A hard lump gathered in his gut as he watched her glide effortlessly towards him. He couldn't understand it. Why hadn't Rain touched on the topic he had brought up earlier. Had he scared her off, after all? He needed to know the answer. Then another fear set inside him. What if that encounter with a blue roan brute had left Rain feeling unsafe?

Rain gracefully stepped out of the water, the little droplets slid down her damp pelt. With a curious smile, she raised her brows, and stuck her head forwards. As her head protruded, her now dark blonde mane draped across her neck, and hung wet from her crest. "Are you alright, Spirit?" She questioned softly, as she noticed the stallion's changed expression.

Spirit's jaw set firmly in a grimace. It was true he had never felt what welled up in his chest now, for any other being as much as this mare. Her mane hung loosely around her neck, splashing his legs with the little droplets that fell into the lake. Their reflections shimmered on the lake surface.

"I am afraid of driving you away with my overbearing requests." He admitted with guilt. "I do not wish to appear pushy...yet I can't help thinking about us - about our future. And then there's Spring...the season that makes most stallions lose their minds." Spirit quickly tucked his tail flat against his quarters, hoping with uncertainty, that Rain would not notice his masculinity dropping from his sheath. He did not want to force her into a role she did not ask for and perhaps, he was also afraid of his own being. This mare was so tempting, the scent of her flawless coat sent his mind riveting. But no, he could not, if she did not wish to.

Rain couldn't understand why Spirit was being so self-reproachful. If only he would stop associating himself with other stallions. He had always been so different and just perfect. She would never put him on the same level as others, let alone the former leader of Misty.

"Spirit, you need to stop doing that." She started with a reassuring tone, her deep blue eyes tried to find his brown ones. "You know you'd never do anything that would drive me away from you. Besides, why act so timid?" She added, this time her gaze lightened up with a mischievous gleam. "It's not like this is our first time." With a gentle laugh, she nuzzled his neck, his soft fur swept over her muzzle. Her forelegs shifted as the water beneath rippled in a soothing motion.

As the flaxen mare nuzzled his neck, he let forth a deep sigh and hugged his damp face around her. How perfect she was, he mused, his eyes half closing with deep, whole-hearted feelings. She was so kind, so understanding. The mare cared for him, even though his physical being was beginning to take over. Why was she not afraid? Did she not think he couldn't be like every other wild brute?

"Oh my beauty," He exhaled sadly. "That was completely different. There's a huge contrast between the Spring and Autumn. You see, our instincts are stronger, more uncontrollable, and even dangerous around this season. Last thing I want is to scare you off or hurt you." He sweetly stroked her muzzle and lifting one leg out of the water, he rubbed it lovingly against her chest, smiling affectionately. When the splash of his hoof resettling in the water had faded, he looked passionately into her eyes, his nose brushing one of her soft ears.

"I want you Rain, " he whispered gently, his ears lacing backwards. "and I want us to have a family. I fear if we stay so close any longer, I will not be able to hold myself back. So please, tell me...what is it that you want? And do not feel pressured into anything your heart doesn't wish to do. Just let me know whatever's on your mind." The stallion took a small step away, eyeing her with restraint. More than anything, he didn't want to pressure her. Spring was the well-known season of most stallions losing their minds and sometimes even breaking into violent behaviors because of the constant reminder of mares in heat around them. He could not blame Rain if she was slightly frightened of him... he would not feel disappointed if she refused him this time. In fact, it would be safer if she did.

"You could never hurt me." Rain insisted as she gazed at him with a soft look of acceptance. "You proved that once, and I know that you'll prove it again. If I had even slightly doubted you or our love, I'd never follow you...I would have stayed back with Little Creek. But I chose you in the end, meaning that I trust you more than anyone else in this world. So how can you suggest something like that? Stop comparing yourself to hormone-raged studs. You are nothing like them." She finished soothingly, as he rested his cheek against hers, she sighed with a breathless motion.

Spirit nosed her legs, his long forelock cascading into the dark water. Nickering deeply he smiled at her, wrapping his neck lovingly around her own. "Does this mean you're ...ready?" He asked hesitantly.

Rain sighed gently, as she felt his warm breath slide up from her legs to her neck. It made her shiver inside, even though she felt hot more than anything. Her expression sloped gently into a trance, as her eyes tried to meet his. "Like I said before, I may not have imagined myself as a dam or a wild horse for that matter," she chuckled lightly. "but I am more than ready for this new life with you." She finished as her eyes twinkled like the stars that shone above them.

Spirit dropped his neck, the muscles on his crest bulging with anticipation. His long jet black mane fell in wet tangles around his shoulders as he blew fiercely into the mare's nostrils. Rain's blue eyes caught his gaze, and filled him with fire that coursed through his veins and into his loins. The stallion stepped forward eagerly, but not without caution. In this game, the mare decided all things.

Suddenly he reared upwards, scratching the misty air with glistening forehooves. From his throat he issued a wild, passionate cry, expressing to her all he felt in the heat of that moment. His limbs crashed viscously into the dark water, sending a spray of fresh mist into his face and across his stomach. Anxiously he pawed the surface, thrusting his left leg deep into the water and ripping it forth with anticipation. He couldn't help but flaunt his masculinity, hopefully impressing her with his display.

With caution he approached her side, resting his chin just below her withers. With wild eyes he gazed at her, waiting patiently for her reaction. Would she squeal and buck away with tease? Or give herself willingly to him and lift her tail? The stallion's breath caught in his throat as her beautiful scent caught his nostrils and he remembered their first time together. Either way, he wouldn't be disappointed. He couldn't blame her if she were nervous...after all, this would seal the deal. Unlike their experience last Autumn, now was a 99% chance that by this act a foal would be begotten that night.

Rain flicked her head around to his powerful display, and smiled to herself. The paint's deep blue eyes darted all around the stallion's muscular form, and she observed how powerfully his forelegs struck the cool night's air. She saw all the water that came up from beneath his shining hooves, as it sprayed him with a damp mist that stuck to his golden dun pelt. Raising an eyebrow as she felt his soft head upon her withers, she blinked slowly and turned her head forwards. In a strange way, she felt compelled to let him wait a little, even if she was already driving him wild.

She sighed with a light tone, and walked forward. Her lightly curled blonde mane floated at the side of her shoulders, as a light breeze flew around her flaxen strands. With a gentle lift of her forelegs, she read slightly, lighting her fore hooves a few feet off the cool lake's surface. Returning to the ground, the water splashed her legs which were now planted firmly in the lake. The ripples caressed her fetlocks, and she heard the soothing lapping from the shore.

Turning to him, she pierced his stare with her vivid blue eyes. Then, with a girlish wink, nodded gently. With a slightly nervous thump of her heart, she swallowed the lump that gathered in her throat, and lifted her flaxen tail. It swayed with breeze that floated around her body.

As Rain bolted forward, Spirit courteously slid his head from her withers. The spray from her playful leap caught his neck and chest, and with a deep nicker he called her back to the earth. The stallion's eyes softened as he lifted his black banner, lacing his ears backwards with a respectful caution. Spirit knew that spoken words could of calmed the mare, but in his heart he knew that this was no place for them. He decided then to approach her again, rubbing his neck with downcast eyes against her own. Body language, the most ancient communication between horses took its hold on the stallion and with a gentle nip on Rain's cheek, he brought his form along-side hers.

Water swirled around his fetlocks, as he lifted his slender legs higher and more graceful than usual. Spinning slowly on his hindquarters, the stallion brought his shoulder abreast to hers.

"What if I'll make a terrible dam?" Rain nickered suddenly, interrupting the heated moment.

Her words were like a cold splash of water over his body as Spirit jerked his head to look at her. "Rain, why would you ever think something so silly? You'll be...perfect. I don't doubt that for a second." He smiled at her, this time he was the one being reassuring and comforting. She seemed to ease up at his sweet nicker and smiled softly, her nervous, racing heart slowed down.

"Don't ever worry about that." Spirit whispered once more as he took his time, drawing out every moment with agonizing tediousness. His soft lips brushed her ribs, nibbling gently on her underside with harsh affection. Moving leisurely towards her quarters, he rubbed his nose along every curve and contour of her soft, velvety skin; whickering deeply when the sensations he sent running up her spine startled her in any way.

After his stallion-esque display, Rain turned her beautiful head back around to his. She shot him one last look of complete trust like she had done the first time in the Lakota Village, and nickered gently with a tone of approval. She then slowly turned her head back around, and closed her eyes, concealing those bright blue pools to her soul.

That warm Autumn afternoon in the human settlement had remained for Spirit and Rain as the most beautiful moment of their lives. However, perhaps, this clear night, under the alluring glows of the moonlight and the bright, twinkling stars that illuminated the whole lake, would not only abide in the minds of the young horses forever, but would also be the beginning of their future as soul mates.

Thank you for the support!

I felt like writing a one last lovey-dovey chapter before things start going dramatically south...cause Azogar is coming! Also, Spirit and Rain deserved another sweet moment and the swimming filled scenes seems to be their thing. And this was kind of like a throwback to their first original moment together in my first story, Loyalty and Love. There were a LOT of shadowing of that chapter and I felt like honoring that moment. Also, this chapter answered some of the questions my reviewers had as to why Rain did not conceive a foal in the village. Well, because, horses rarely conceive in the Fall...their breeding season is in Spring and Summer. So this chapter kind of addressed that too. Last but not least, I want to wish Donner, famously known as Spirit (The Kiger Mustang stallion and the muse for the animated Spirit) a very Happy Birthday today!